Apple WWDC 2023 preview: Reality Pro, iOS 17, MacBook Air, and more

Of us, put together for an epic WWDC.

Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention, which kicks off on June 5 at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is usually the stage for Apple’s quite a few software program platforms to shine. We’re very more likely to see new variations of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

However this 12 months, Apple is broadly anticipated to additionally function an entire new product class, beginning with a combined actuality headset, probably named the Reality Professional, and the accompanying, new xrOS.

Oh, and if that is not sufficient, there are rumors a few new MacBook Air, too.

Nothing is official at this level, however we have gone by way of all the rumors and reviews we may discover to assemble a listing of issues we would see at this 12 months’s WWDC. Let’s dive in.

Reality Professional and xrOS

This one has been a very long time coming. The truth is, there have been credible reviews that Apple will launch the combined actuality headset finally 12 months’s WWDC, however the firm was utterly silent on the matter.

This time, nevertheless, will (in all probability) be totally different.

Reality Professional is the probably identify for Apple’s combined actuality (or digital/augmented actuality, take your decide) headset. However from what we have heard, it should be very totally different from Apple’s typical product launches. First, will probably be costly (assume $3,000) and primarily geared toward builders. And reviews say it will not be as smooth as we have used to from Apple merchandise; it’s going to be light-weight and cozy but it surely should tether to an exterior battery by way of a cable.

However the brand new headset might be highly effective. It’s going to in all probability be powered by an M2-level chip and function 4K OLED shows, and more than a dozen cameras (each inside and exterior) for eye motion and hand gesture monitoring.

UPDATE: Jun. 2, 2023, 11:13 a.m. CEST A final-minute report from analyst Ross Younger says the headset will include 1.41” micro OLED show, with a decision of 4,400 ppi (pixels per inch) or 4K per eye, and more than 5,000 nits of brightness, which may make them the perfect ever seen in a broadly accessible VR headset.

As for the accompanying xrOS, reviews say that it’ll have the identical really feel as Apple’s different working programs, however in a vastly totally different setting: One through which it combines monitoring your eye actions with hand gestures to carry out numerous duties. It also needs to have its personal App Retailer, and the flexibility to run iPhone and iPad apps. It is all very thrilling; regardless of the quite a few digital actuality programs such because the Meta Quest and Sony PlayStation VR, in addition to augmented actuality makes an attempt resembling Google (now discontinued) Google Glass, we have by no means actually seen Apple try something like this.

By the best way, rumors say that that is merely the primary in line of a number of AR/VR/MR merchandise Apple is engaged on, however the others aren’t very near launch proper now.

MacBook Air 15

This can be a large one, each figuratively and actually. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims Apple will launch a 15-inch MacBook Air at WWDC, the primary time Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop computer has gotten a much bigger show than 13.3 inches. The doable existence of a 15-inch Air is a little bit of an oxymoron, because the very core of that system has at all times been that it is extraordinarily moveable, which a 15-inch laptop computer sometimes is just not. Excuse us if we’re a bit sceptical on this one, but when it does occur, we’re very wanting to see how Apple has put it collectively.

It is value noting that Apple refreshed its MacBook Air line finally 12 months’s WWDC, which supplies more credibility to the concept that new Air is coming, no matter its show dimension could also be.

By way of specs, the brand new MacBook Air will probably function Apple’s M2 chip and 8GB of RAM on the minimal, and a show with the identical decision as Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Professional (that is 3,024 x 1,964 pixels).

Whereas we’re on the subject of Macs, it is doable that Apple will launch a refreshed Mac Professional and a brand new iMac, although the potential of that taking place is small. Apple can also be engaged on the brand new M3 chip, but it surely’s in all probability coming later this 12 months.

UPDATE: Jun. 2, 2023, 11:02 a.m. CEST A brand new report from Bloomberg says that Apple will virtually definitely launch a number of new Macs at WWDC, and that two of those is perhaps up to date variations of the Mac Studio, one that includes the beforehand introduced M2 Max chip, and the opposite outfitted with Apple’s new M2 Extremely chip.

iOS 17

Not like the devices talked about above, the arrival of a brand new iOS is one thing we’re fairly sure about. The WWDC being a convention geared toward builders, it is the place the place Apple sometimes unveils the brand new variations of platforms for them to play with. Crucial of these is the one which powers the iPhone, although this 12 months the updates could appear somewhat underwhelming. That is partially due to the headset; reviews say {that a} large a part of what’s Apple is doing with iOS revolves round integration with the upcoming combined actuality headset. The iOS 17 will even probably assist the brand new, immersive CarPlay experiences that are coming later this 12 months.

Different enhancements we have heard about embrace upgrades to Management Middle in addition to new options for the Dynamic Island, although these clearly pertain solely to house owners of the iPhone 14 Professional and the iPhone 14 Professional Max. We would additionally see a brand new journaling app with a cool codename – Jurassic. It might provide customers the flexibility to log down their habits and actions, with a deal with psychological well being. Apple Maps may additionally get an improve that can let customers get journey instructions on their lock screens.

Catering to Europe’s laws, Apple would possibly lastly begin providing sideloading, which implies putting in apps from locations that are not Apple’s App Retailer.

Rumors apart, we do truly know fairly a bit about Apple’s upcoming accessibility options, which can very probably be part of iOS 17. These embrace Reside Speech, Assistive Entry, and Private Voice; you possibly can learn more about these right here.

iPadOS 17

Apple additionally spilled the beans on the iPad variations of Last Reduce Professional and Logic Professional, which have been redesigned to play good with a touchscreen and Apple Pencil for the primary time. These are coming just a few weeks forward of WWDC, so Apple probably has so much more in retailer for the precise announcement of iPadOS 17 on June 5.

The iPadOS is intently tied to iOS, so we’re probably see lots of the similar enhancements in each working programs. Oh, and the Well being app, which has thus far solely been accessible on the iPhone, is reportedly coming to the iPad as nicely.

macOS 14

We do not know what it’s going to be known as, precisely, however we will assume that macOS 14 might be named after a well-known California landmark, identical to a lot of its predecessors. Apple did trademark lots of California place names, so you possibly can take your decide from the listing under.

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We’re betting it will not be macOS Mammoth, although. That is as a result of Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that macOS 14 might be a reasonably minor replace, with a lot of the work being performed below the hood to make sure that numerous apps and options work equally on Apple’s telephones, tablets, laptops and desktop computer systems.

tvOS 17

We have now little or no to report on the brand new tvOS, although a brand new model is definitely coming. It sometimes will get little or no time in Apple’s WWDC bulletins, with enhancements largely being minor.

watchOS 10

Curiously, Gurman claims that watchOS 10 will obtain probably the most vital replace ever, which could make this model probably the most attention-grabbing but. Apple will reportedly refocus on widgets and make them a “central” a part of the watchOS interface. The simplest technique to think about that is to take a look at the Siri watch face, which is offered on Apple Watch now. It encompasses a listing of playing cards which you’ll scroll by way of by utilizing the Watch’s crown, every one comparable to a particular app or a function inside that app. If Gurman is correct, the brand new Watch interface might be much like that, although the outdated app-centric model might keep as an choice.

When, the place, and learn how to watch the WWDC 2023 keynote

Understanding what to anticipate from an Apple convention is sweet, however seeing it unfold stay is so much more thrilling. To tune in, direct your browser to Apple’s web site on June 5. The beginning time is 10 a.m. PT (that is 1 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. BST, 7 p.m. CEST, or 1 a.m. AWST on the subsequent day).

Our private browser of selection for streaming Apple keynotes is Safari, however you are able to do it on different browsers and platforms; for instance, Apple sometimes has a YouTube stream as nicely, in addition to a stream in its Apple TV app.